US11311070B2 - Cooling hat - Google Patents

Abstract

A hat includes a brim having a front portion and a back portion. The hat also includes a crown which is coupled with the back portion of the brim. The brim includes one or more intake ports placed along the back portion of the brim and the crown includes one or more exhaust ports.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Ser. No. 15/713,474 filed Sep. 22, 2017 and entitled “COOLING HAT.” The '474 application is a non-provisional of, claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/483,860 filed Apr. 10, 2017 and entitled “COOLING HAT.” The '474 application is also a non-provisional of, claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/399,081, filed Sep. 23, 2016, and entitled “COOLING HAT.” All of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a head cooling device and specifically to a hat with increased airflow and cooling properties.

BACKGROUND

A frequent problem with hats is that they do not provide enough air flow around the wearer's head, but instead only cause heat to gather inside the hat and cause sweating on the wearer. Traditionally hats have been designed to have a vent on the back of a hat or at the top of a hat. A problem with this design is that it only provides a way for heat to rise out of these vents, but the design does nothing to circulate air around the head of a wearer. This inability to allow airflow around and over a wearer's head is undesirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an underside view of an exemplary hat according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the hat ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary back view of the inside of the hat ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary back view of the inside of the hat ofFIG. 1 including a flexible band according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an underside view with an alternate configuration of the brim including intake ports and structural tabs according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates atop view600 of the inside of thehat110 ofFIG. 5, according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate exemplary embodiments of theintake parts130 of thebrim120, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and applications of the invention presented herein are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts.

In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

FIG. 1 illustrates anunderside view100 of anexemplary hat110 according to an embodiment.Hat110 comprises a unique design and configuration that provides for airflow around and over the head of a wearer. Hat110 comprises a multiple port ventilation system that combines one ormore intake ports130 with one ormore exhaust ports140 to circulate airflow around and over the head of a wearer.

According to embodiments, thebrim120 may protrude outward from the base (e.g., bottom perimeter180) of thehat110. Thebrim120 may comprise afront portion132 that is also the front portion of thehat110 and a back portion134 (e.g., with a curved edge) that contacts with a wearer's head at the base of thehat110. In addition, thebrim120 ofhat110 may comprise one ormore intake ports130 placed along theback portion134 of thebrim120 in front of the portion of thehat110 which that engages a wearer's head (e.g., flexible band182). The one ormore intake ports130 placed inbrim120 creates agap150 between the front of a wearer's head and the front of theintake parts130 of thebrim120 of thehat110. The size, position and placement of the intake ports130 (as discussed below in more detail) create in input or output of thegap150 and direct air that flows under thebrim120 though theintake ports130 and into the gap150 (e.g., channel184), around and over the wearer's head, and then flowing out theexhaust ports140. In addition, and as discussed in more detail below, air may flow from one ormore exhaust ports140, around and over the wearer's head, through thegap150 and out theintake ports130 under thebrim120 in the front of the wearer's head. That is, in order to increase the airflow around and over the wearer's head, one ormore exhaust ports140 may be coupled to another portion of thehat110 that allows air from theintake ports130 to flow out of thehat110.

According to embodiments, thehat110 may comprise one or moreexhaust ports140 on the sides or the back of thehat110. The air that enters theintake ports130 in the front of thehat110 may flow around and over the head of the wearer and through the one ormore exhaust ports140 in the back or sides of thehat110. In this way, air may flow in through the front of thehat110 and out through the back of thehat110.

Although theintake ports130 are shown and described substantially at the front of thehat110, and theexhaust ports140 are described substantially on the sides or on the back of thehat110, embodiments contemplate any number or location of theintake ports130 and theexhaust ports140, according to particular needs. For example, locating theintake ports130 on the front of thehat110 under thebrim120 allows air collected under thebrim120 to be funneled up into theintake ports130, through thegap150, around and over the wearer's head, and exit theexhaust ports140. In fact, the disclosed embodiments create a particularly strong air flow by collecting a large amount of air from under the surface area of thebrim120 and channeling that air though thegap150 in the front of the wearer's head creating a strong cooling sensation. In addition, or as an alternative, any heat created from the wearer's head causes an air differential thereby increasing the airflow around and over the wearer's head and into and out of theintake ports130 andexhaust ports140.

According to some embodiments, theintake ports130 and theexhaust ports140 are sized to allow sufficient airflow to circulate around the wearer's head. According to embodiments, theexhaust port140 is sized such that all air that flows in through theintake ports130 is easily exhausted through theexhaust ports140. Additionally, theintake ports130 and theexhaust ports140 may be sized to take into account the thermodynamic properties of the heat radiated by the head of the wearer. For example, theintake ports130 and theexhaust ports140 are sized to dissipate the heat from the head of a typical wearer. However, theintake ports130 andexhaust ports140 may be sized larger or smaller based on the amount of heat given off by the wearer, the size and type ofhat110, and/or the ambient heat of the environment.

Additionally, theintake ports130 and theexhaust ports140 may be sized to accommodate different wind environments. According to embodiments, theintake ports130 and theexhaust ports140 may be sized to allow sufficient wind to pass through thehat110, such that, the wind does not blow thehat110 off of the wearer's head. For example, theintake ports130 may comprise a smaller size opening so that increased airflow through thehat110 does not blow thehat110 off of the wearer's head. Additionally, or in the alternative, theexhaust ports140 may be over-sized so that any amount of air that goes into thehat110 may freely escape without blowing thehat110 off of the wearer's head. In other words, if theexhaust ports140 are too small, thehat110 may blow off of the wearer's head.

FIG. 2 illustrates aside view200 of thehat110 ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment. According to embodiments, thehat110 comprises thebrim120 and thecrown160 that covers the crown of a wearer's head. Thecrown160 may comprise a front of thecrown162, a back of thecrown164 and sides of thecrown166. According to embodiments, thehat110 comprises one or moreexhaust ports140 on the back of thecrown164 and/or on the sides of thecrown166. According to embodiments, theexhaust ports140 serves as a ventilation system for thehat110, as described in more detail herein. In one embodiment, the surface area of theexhaust port140 is sized sufficiently larger than the surface area ofintake ports130, so that the amount of air that flows through theintake ports130 is allowed to quickly exhaust, without impeding air flow. Conversely, the surface area of theexhaust port140 is sized sufficiently larger than the surface area ofintake ports130, such that air may flow intoexhaust port140 and flow out ofintake port130, in for example, windy conditions.

According to embodiments, theexhaust ports140 comprise a mesh or perforated surface formed from fabric, polymers, or other suitable materials.

Although, theexhaust ports140 are shown to cover substantially the back of thecrown164 and sides of thecrown166 embodiments contemplate, any size, configuration or placement of theexhaust ports140, according to particular needs.

FIG. 3 illustrates anexemplary back view300 of the inside of thehat110 ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment. As can be seen, theintake ports130 in thebrim120 of thehat110 may be located between theback portion134 of thebrim120 and the front of thecrown162, thereby creating thegap150. According to embodiments, thisgap150 is formed by extending the material of thebrim120 material inward toward the wearer's head so that the material of thebrim120 holds the front of thehat110 outward from the head of the wearer, which creates thegap150 between the front of thecrown162 and the wearer's head and allows for airflow along the forehead of a wearer's head.

Although thegap150 is created by thebrim120, embodiments contemplate forming agap150 above theintake ports130 and in front of the wearer's head by other suitable configurations, such as, for example, placing spacers or cushioning in front of the head of the user that creates agap150 in front of the head of the user. In addition, or as an alternative, although thebrim120 is shown and described at the front of thehat110, embodiments contemplate thebrim120 being at any portion of thehat110, such as, the back, the sides or all the way around thehat110, depending on the style of hat. In these embodiments, the one ormore intake ports130 and one or moreexhaust ports140 may be located in thegap150 between the front of thecrown162, back of thecrown164 and/or the sides of thecrown166 and the wearer's head.

According to embodiments, theintake ports130 may then be covered by a breathable net or mesh (such as a fabric) so that theintake ports130 are hidden behind the net or mesh to improve the aesthetic appearance of thehat110 while not blocking airflow. According to some embodiments, the fabric may comprise openings that allow air to flow through theintake ports130 and through or around the fabric.

According to other embodiments, thebrim120 material may be sewn inside a fabric covering theintake ports130 either covered by a fabric or mesh or partially visible on the underside of thehat110. In either configuration, theintake ports130 provide for air traveling underneath thebrim120 to be directed over the wearer's head through thegap150 between the front of thecrown162 and the wearer's head.

FIG. 4 illustrates anexemplary back view400 of the inside of thehat110 ofFIG. 1 including aflexible band410 according to another embodiment. For somehats110, such as a baseball cap, thebrim120 is sewn to the front of thehat110. Although examples are shown and described with respect to baseball caps, embodiments contemplate various features of the disclosed embodiments being formed into cowboy hats, safari hats, beach hats, or any other hat, helmet, or head gear.

According to some embodiments, thehat110 comprises aband410 on the inside of thehat110. According to one embodiment, theflexible band410 may comprise an elastic material, such as, for example, such that theflexible band410 is configured to grip the wearer's head. According to some embodiments, theintake ports130 may be coupled to the inside of thebrim120 on the side of theflexible band410 away from the wearer's head. In this way, the air flows through theintake ports130 and through thegap150 that is between theflexible band410 and the front of thecrown162 of thehat110, thereby cooling theflexible band410. Thegap150 between theflexible band410 and the front of thecrown162 may be configured, such that there is a quarter of an inch in width associated with thegap150. Although aparticular gap150 is given as an example, embodiments contemplate larger or smaller gaps, according to particular needs. According to some embodiments, theflexible band410 is tapered to fit wearer heads of various sizes.

Additionally, theflexible band410 may comprise a stiffened portion that allows the flexible portion to tightly grip the wearer's head while forming agap150 between the front of thecrown162 and the wearer's head. The shape of a wearer's head, which ordinarily slopes backward away from the front of thehat110, may be used to create atapered gap150 between the wearer's forehead and the front of thecrown162 by shaping the front of thecrown162 at a shallower angle than that of a typical forehead.

FIG. 5 illustrates anunderside view500 with an alternate configuration of thebrim120 includingintake ports130 andstructural tabs510 according to an embodiment. According to embodiments, thebrim120 of thehat110 may comprise one or morestructural tabs510 placed alongside the back edge of thebrim120 between theintake ports130 and the front of the wearer's head. According to embodiments, thestructural tabs510 on thebrim120 of thehat110 may be configured to increase the grip of thebrim120 to thehat110 and help theintake ports130 direct air that flows under thebrim120 into thegap150 in the front of the wearer's head.

According to embodiments, thestructural tabs510 are substantially perpendicular to thebrim120 and may fold upward at the back of thebrim120 between theintake ports130 and the front of the wearer's head. In addition, or as an alternative, thestructural tabs510 may be substantially aligned with the angle of the front of thecrown162. According to embodiments, thestructural tabs510 are formed from a semi-rigid material, such as bendable plastic, that may be incorporated into thebrim120 of thehat110. Although a particular material is shown and described, embodiments contemplate any type of materials for thebrim120 and thestructural tabs510, according to particular needs.

According to embodiments, thebrim120 may comprise a certain number ofstructural tabs510 folded up towards the inside edge of thehat110. Thestructural tabs510 may be sized such that thebrim120 of thehat110 is not enlarged from what is suitable to a particular style ofhat110. According to embodiments, thestructural tabs510 are embedded within the edge of thebrim120 such that thebrim120 does not increase in size. According to some embodiments, thestructural tabs510 are sized and spaced as shown, such that thestructural tabs510 may be four times the size of the spacing520 between thestructural tabs510. Although particular sizes ofstructural tabs510 and spacing520 between thestructural tabs510 are shown and described, embodiments contemplate any suitable size ofstructural tabs510 or spacing520 between thestructural tabs510, according to particular needs.

According to one embodiment, thebrim120 may comprise twentystructural tabs510, nostructural tabs510, or any number ofstructural tabs510. Although a particular number ofstructural tabs510 have been shown and described, embodiments contemplate any number ofstructural tabs510, according to particular needs. Additionally, or as an alternative,structural tabs510 may each form a substantially square or rectangular shape. Although particular shapes and numbers ofstructural tabs510 have been described, embodiments contemplate any shape, any number of shapes, or number ofstructural tabs510, according to particular needs.

FIG. 6 illustrates atop view600 of the inside of thehat110 ofFIG. 5, according to an embodiment. As can be seen, theintake ports130 in thebrim120 of thehat110 may be located between thestructural tabs510 of thebrim120 and the front of thecrown162, thereby creating thegap150. According to embodiments, thisgap150 is formed by extending the material of thebrim120 material inward toward the wearer's head so that the material of thebrim120 holds the front of thehat110 outward from the head of the wearer, which creates thegap150 between the front of thecrown162 and thestructural tabs510, thereby allowing for airflow along the forehead of a wearer's head.

According to one embodiment, aflexible band410 is configured to grip the wearer's head, as discussed above inFIG. 4. According to some embodiments, theflexible band410 may be coupled to thestructural tabs510 of thebrim120, thereby creating thegap150 between theflexible band410 and the front of thecrown162. In this way, the air flows through theintake ports130 and through thegap150 that is between thestructural tabs150 and the front of thecrown162 of thehat110, thereby cooling theflexible band410. Additionally, thestructural tabs510 provides a stiffened portion to theflexible band410, as discussed above, that allows the flexible portion to tightly grip the wearer's head while forming agap150 between the front of thecrown162 and the wearer's head.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate exemplary embodiments of theintake parts130 of thebrim120, according to an embodiment. According to embodiments, theintake ports130 are formed from a semi-rigid material, such as a bendable plastic, that may be incorporated directly into thebrim120 of thehat110. According to embodiments, theintake ports130 may comprise one or more openings through thebrim120 material. According to embodiments, thebrim120 may comprise four intake ports130 (as illustrated inFIG. 7A), six intake ports130 (as illustrated inFIGS. 7B, 7C and 7E) or ten intake ports130 (as illustrated inFIG. 7D). Although a particular number ofintake ports130 are shown and described, embodiments contemplate any number ofintake parts130, according to particular needs.

Additionally, or in the alternative, theintake ports130 that are located toward the center of thebrim120 may be wider than theintake ports130 located at the sides of thebrim120. According to some embodiments, openings toward the sides of thebrim130 may be tapered away from the center of thebrim130, such that, theintake ports130 form a substantially triangular shape that decreases the width of theintake ports130, at the sides of thehat110. This may improve comfort to the wearer while also allowing suitable airflow through theintake ports130.

According to embodiments, thebrim120 may comprise an increased number ofintake ports130, such as tenintake parts130, shown inFIG. 7D, which allow for an increased number ofreinforcement710 between each of the one ormore intake ports130. This may increase rigidity of thebrim120, while still allowing sufficient airflow through theintake ports130.

Theintake ports130 may be sized such that thebrim120 of thehat110 is not enlarged from what is suitable to particular style ofhat110. For example, a baseball cap may comprise abrim120 of a particular size and configuration. According to embodiments, theintake ports130 are embedded within thebrim120 such that thebrim120 does not increase in size. According to some embodiments, theintake ports130 are between one-eighth and three-eighths of an inch in width. According to other embodiments, theintake ports130 are between one-sixteenth and three-sixteenths of an inch in width. According to yet other embodiments, thereinforcements710 are between one-sixteenth and one-quarter of an inch in width. For example, one or more of thereinforcements710 may be one-eighth of an inch wide. Although particular sizes ofintake ports130 andreinforcements710 are shown and described, embodiments contemplate any suitable size of openings or reinforcements, according to particular needs.

According to embodiments, the material of thebrim120 comprises a semi-rigid or flexible substrate, such as, for example, polymer, foam, stiffened fabric, or other like materials. According to other embodiments, embodiments contemplate thebrim120 formed of a single piece, and coupled with thehat110 by sewing, adhesive, or the like.

Although features of thehat110 apparatus are illustrated as comprising various components, embodiments contemplate any feature being composed of more than one piece or multiple features being combined into a single piece, according to particular needs. Additionally, embodiments contemplate any feature coupling with any other feature by any suitable coupling of components such as with adhesive, sewing, a fastener (e.g. a bolt and a nut, a screw, a clip, a rivet, a pin, hook and loop fastener, and/or the like), washers, retainers, straps, wrapping, wiring, a weld joint, a solder joint, and any combination of the foregoing.

Although specific materials for each of the features of the present disclosure have been presented, embodiments contemplate various types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the materials selected are consistent with the intended operation of the hat apparatus. For example, the components may be formed of: fabrics, polymers, such as thermoplastics and thermosets; rubbers (synthetic and/or natural); composites, such as carbon-fiber; metals; alloys; any other suitable material; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Reference in the foregoing specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “some embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications to the foregoing embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:

1. A hat, comprising:

a single-piece brim comprising a back portion, a left edge, a right edge and an exterior edge;

the brim comprising one or more intake ports located in the back portion of the brim;

the one or more intake ports in communication with a channel;

the one or more intake ports having a front and a back;

a crown having a front portion, a back portion and a bottom portion;

the left edge and the right edge of the brim terminating at the front portion of the crown;

the front portion of the crown directly engaged with the back portion of the brim located in front of the one or more intake ports on the back portion of the brim;

a flexible band is configured to lay directly against a forehead of a user;

the flexible band having a first portion contiguous with a second portion;

the first portion of the flexible band is directly engaged with the back portion of the brim located in back of the one or more intake ports on the back portion of the brim; and

the second portion of the flexible band is spaced apart from the front portion of the crown such that the channel is formed in between the flexible band and the bottom portion of the crown.

2. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more intake ports comprises a plurality of intake ports, and wherein each of the plurality of intake ports are separated from an adjacent intake port of the plurality of intake ports by one or more reinforcements.

3. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein the brim comprises one or more structural tabs that attach the brim to the flexible band.

4. The hat ofclaim 3, wherein the one or more structural tabs comprise a plurality of structural tabs, and wherein each of the plurality of structural tabs are separated from an adjacent structural tab of the plurality of structural tabs by a space.

5. The hat ofclaim 3, wherein the one or more structural tabs are perpendicular to the brim.

6. The hat ofclaim 3, wherein the one or more structural tabs comprise a plurality of structural tabs, and wherein each of the plurality of structural tabs are spaced apart from each of the plurality of intake ports.

7. The hat ofclaim 3, wherein the one or more structural tabs comprise a plurality of structural tabs, and wherein the plurality of structural tabs comprises twenty structural tabs.

8. The hat ofclaim 1, further comprising a gap between a back edge of the brim and each of the one or more intake ports, wherein the flexible band connects with the gap.

9. The hat ofclaim 8, wherein the one or more exhaust ports are located on at least one of the back portion or sides of the crown.

10. The hat ofclaim 8, wherein the hat is configured such that air is capable of flowing through the plurality of intake ports, directly into the channel between the flexible band and the bottom portion of the crown, then directly into an interior of the crown.

11. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein the crown comprises one or more exhaust ports.

12. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein side edges of the brim directly interface with the front portion of the crown.

13. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein the back portion of the brim is curved to interface with the flexible band.

14. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more intake ports comprises four intake ports.

15. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more intake ports comprises at least one of six or ten intake ports.

16. The hat ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible band is located within an inner circumference of at least the front portion of the crown.

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